Apple tree `Meran`

ABSTRACT

The apple variety &#34;MERAN&#34; was created by crossing of the varieties Golden Delicious and Morgenduft. 
     It differs from the common apple varieties by earlier yield, an excellent natural resistance against diseases, excellent storability, and superior qualitative properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

"MERAN" is a cross of the varieties Golden Delicious and Morgenduft.

The new variety differs in substantial properties from the parentvarieties.

HISTORY OF THE VARIETY

Eight years after creation of the new variety by crossing, a period ofmore intensive observation and investigation of the product was begun in1974. Since then, the advantages in orchard culture, fruit quality andstorability have been verified.

Since 1979, the variety has been grown on several root stocks by asexualreproduction by both budding and grafting, and trees resulting therefromare true to the parent in all distinguishing characteristics (M 9, M 26,"Grahams Jubilaum Seedling"). Many storage tests were carried out, andthe after-storage behaviour was also observed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a whole fruit of the apple variety "MERAN".

FIG. 2 is a whole fruit and fruit cut into halves by equatorial andlongitudinal sections.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show trees of the apple variety "MERAN" in bearing age.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show root-suckers (with roots) of the apple variety"MERAN".

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Some specimens of the novel tree which had been marked with an indexnumber have been grown since 1979 at the "Versuchszentrum fur Land- undForestwirtschaft Laimburg" (Experimental station for agriculture andforesty Laimburg) of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol, in order toconduct the necessary orchard tests and evaluation (test station ofnovel cultivations).

PROPERTIES OF THE VARIETY

The root system of the seedling consists of a primary system of some(3-4) large roots, and a secondary system of densely arranged, finesmall roots.

The epigeous part shows medium vigor. The crown develops on a centralleader with rather low apical dominance and 1-2 series of well-distancedside branches. This means a considerable reduction of labour for pruningand tree formation (binding, bending, spreading).

The variety is not self fertile. The size of the tree on its own stockafter 20 years of growth is approximately 31/2 meters (medium size). Theformation of short sprouts, sprouts and bearing sprouts begins veryearly. Specifically, two to three series of three to five lateral mainbranches depart from the central leader at a distance of about 40 to 60centimeters. Fruiting spurs begin to develop in the second and thirdyear after grafting. First production occurs within 7 to 8 years fromasexual reproduction. Habit is compact, similar to spur types. Thebranch crotch angles vary from 70° to 100° as shown in the drawings.

"MERAN" is a regular bearer. The fruit is slightly fragrant andaromatic. It has double acidity with respect to Golden Delicious whileits juiciness and texture is nearer to the Rome Beauty than to theGolden Delicious.

Colouration of the various plant parts is not seen to be particularly atypical of the species per se, but are generally described below:

Wood: Similar to Golden Delicious, but somewhat lighter in colour.

Leaves: Oval, leaf margins serrated. Lighter in colour than GoldenDelicious.

Blossoms: Initially dark red, later light pink (Golden Delicious: Lightpink first, then almost white).

Blossom Time: Medium (as Golden Delicious).

Pollen: Diploid, requires a pollinator.

Fruit:

Harvest time.--In Meran (300 m above sea level) from October 15 to 20(two weeks after Golden Delicious). Ripeness for consumption: beginningNovember.

Size and shape.--Of medium size, average weight: 140-150 g per fruit(smaller than Golden Delicious), Remarkably uniform. Plattenedspherical, roundish.

Specific gravity.--Exceeding the specific gravity of Golden Delicous,therefore higher consistency.

Colour.--In the ripe fruit, particularly on the sunny side, shininglight red, pleasant colour. Basic colour golden yellow as shown in thedrawings. Unripe fruit: green.

Fruit skin.--Shining, with moderate wax formation, fine, smooth, withdistinctly visible lenticels in different density and of different size.The skin is principally free of russeting. Occasionally mild radialrusseting in the stem depression.

Calyx.--Of medium size, half-open, with well developed leaflets. Stem:long, thin, not breaking off (in contrast to the Golden Delicious).

Stem depression.--Deep, narrow, occasionally with mild russeting (seeabove).

Core.--Rather small, heart-shaped, many dark-brown seeds. Fruit pulp:whitish-yellow, of fine, small-cellular structure, very juicy, remainingcrisp for up to 7-8 months' storage time and even longer. Broad pulpzone, cut surface not turning brown.

Taste.--Finely acidulous. Juice light yellow, transparent. (GoldenDelicious: light brown, turbid).

Storability: Excellent up to 7 months in cold store, up to 8 months andeven longer in controlled atmospheres.

Shelf-life: Excellent.

Resistance against shocks and other mechanical damages: Excellent.Nearly shock-resistant during sorting, transportation, etc.

OTHER PROPERTIES

Site conditions: As Golden Delicious.

Russeting: Usually missing (in contrast to Golden Delicious).Occasionally mild radial russeting in the stem depression. Somewhat morefrequent is a single, needle-thin russeting thread in longitudinaldirection of the fruit downwards.

Preharvest fruit drop: Not observed.

Shrinking: Occurring late and to a mild degree if the fruit is storedunder natural conditions. Not occuring if the fruit is kept in coldstores.

Rot and fungi: Not observed so far.

Scald: Not observed so far.

Damages due to cold: Not observed so far.

Bitter pit: Not observed so far.

Scab: Not observed so far.

Mildew: Weak contamination.

Pest: As Golden Delicious.

CONCLUSIONS

The new crossbreed "MERAN" differs positively from the parent varietiesby many properties which are of great importance for growing, storageand marketing. Of these, the following advantages shall be particularlymentioned:

1. The natural favourable growth and development of the crown due towhich considerable savings in labour for pruning and formation arepossible.

2. Early entrance into bearing age (1-2 years earlier than the parentvarieties).

3. Natural resistance against many diseases and damages (russetingbitter pit, scald, cold damages, scab, etc.)

4. Superior colour, taste and pulp texture.

5. Remarkably good storability and excellent shelf life behaviour up toconsumption.

6. Resistance against mechanical influences; this is due to the goodpulp texture and other properties of the fruit.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apple created by crossing ofthe varieties Golden Delicious and Morgenduft, as shown and describedherein.